Stamford Puts New Economic Development Czar To Work

Stamford Mayor David Martin, left, welcomes Thomas Madden as the city's new Director of Economic Development at a press conference Thursday. Madden will assume the job at the end of the month.Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern

Thomas Madden, left, Stamford's new Director of Economic Development, talks with his predecessor, Robin Stein, after Thursday's announcement of Madden's hiring. Stein will become Mayor David Martin's special assistant for economic development.Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Stamford has a new economic development chief, but the former head won’t be far away, Mayor David Martin announced.

Thomas Madden was unveiled as the city's new economic development czar in an 11 a.m. Thursday press conference.

“We wanted to recruit a candidate with the right blend of skills,” Martin told his audience in the Government Center lobby. “Someone who can be a steward for the many ongoing projects in the city and also has the ability to see the big picture and plan for the future.”

Interim Director Robin Stein will stay on as special assistant to the mayor for economic development, Martin also announced.

Martin praised Madden’s abilities and experience and said they will be needed for a growing city that wants to ensure that development is balanced.

“He’s going to be a key asset to this administration as we look forward to not only continue to grow but ensure we are doing so in a way that is sustainable and takes a holistic approach,” Martin said of Madden. “He comes with a deep knowledge of the New York metro region and what it takes to attract and retain business in this area.

In comments after the announcement, Madden said he was attracted to the job by Stamford’s vibrancy.

“I just think the opportunities here in Stamford are absolutely incredible,” he said. “You look at the growth that is happening here and with the companies that are here, it is a world-class city.”

Madden will take over at the end of the month. His appointment and his proposed $133,780 contract has to be approved by the Board of Representatives, Martin said. Martin expected that will come before the before the board at its first meeting in July.

A total of 50 to 60 resumes were submitted for the position, Martin said. Of those, six to seven candidates were looked at more closely.

Martin spoke to a couple of people who didn’t apply for the position. But he said those individuals didn’t apply due to family or monetary reasons.

A resident of Stratford, Madden and his wife, Annie, a science teacher in Chappaqua, N.Y., are considering a move to Stamford.

Madden comes to the job from Greenburgh, N.Y., where he was commissioner of the Department of Community Development and Conservation.

Before that he worked for the Westchester County Planning Department, Maricopa County Department of Transportation and for several private consulting firms.
The Business Council of Westchester County in 2012 recognized Madden as one of their “Rising Stars – Forty Under Forty” program.

Born in Penticton, British Columbia, he graduated from the University of Victoria with a bachelor of arts in geography. He then received his masters of urban and rural planning from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1999. He worked in Canada after graduating before moving to the United States to work for Maricopa County.